FORM III: POETRY ANALYSIS

Introduction To Poetry

Poetry is defined as a record of experience, told in words that are as intense and as beautiful as possible written in a form of verses. (The World Book Encyclopedia)

It also refers to the artistic expression of ideas, experience or events using language characterized by imagery and rhythmical sounds.

Or.

by beautiful, imaginative, or elevated thoughts.

We can generally define poetry as the art of composing or writing poems. A poem can therefore be defined as a piece of creative writing, often in a form of verses, expressing deep feelings, describing experiences or telling a story. Normally, it is arranged in a pattern of lines and rhythmical sounds.

Origin Of Poetry

Historically, poetry is the oldest literary genre and existed before writing was invented. It was and still connected with production activities. People sang songs to encourage (motivate) them to work. These songs were rhythmical and matched with the movement of their working instruments.

It is also said that poetry was composed in connection to religious ceremonies such as worship, rituals, sacred dances, and religious drama. Even today, it is believed that religious Language has a special, rhythmical tone.

Poetry is the art of rhythmical composition, written or spoken, for exciting pleasure.

This is a person that the persona talks to. For example in

Important Terms Used In Poetry

(a) A poet. This is a person who composes a poem. It can be in a written or oral form. Some of the poets are Ralf Bitamazire (I love you my Gentle one), Jwani Mwaikusa (Sun Rise) and /saac Mruma (You are Lost).

(b) A poem. It is a piece of writing in verse form especially expressing deep feelings in an artistic language. Examples of poems include A Freedom song, Lost Beauty and Lullaby.

(c) persona. This is a person who speaks or narrates in a poem. This is a character of the poem. For example in the poem A freedom song the persona is Atieno’s uncle.

(d) Addressee (Audience).

The poem You are Lost the addressee is a sister who engages in commercial sex.

(e) A verse. It is a single line in a poem. Several verses form a stanza. The following is an example of a verse in a poem: ‘I love you, my gentle one,”

(f) A stanza. It is the arrangement of verses in a poem, several verses comprising a complete idea. The following is an example of a stanza.

Characteristics Of Poetry

(i) Poetry is imaginative.

(ii) Poetry is rhythmical.

(iii) Poetry reflects ideas of people.

(iv) Poetry is rich in figures of speech.

(v) Poetry arouses emotions.

Characteristics Of A Poet/poetess.

(i) He/she must have a great knowledge of human nature.

(ii) He/she must know the problems of his/her society.

(iii)He/she should educate his/her society (audience).

(iv)He/she should have enough knowledge concerning poetry.

(v) He/she has to represent strong feelings.

SELECTED POEMS FROM TANZANIA INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION (1996)

1. Building the Nation – Henry Barlow
2. A Freedom Song – Marjorie Oludhe Macgoye
3. Africa – David Diop
4. The Dying Child – Freeman Peter Lwamba
5. The Awful Dentist – Jwani Mwaikusa
6. Eat More – Joe Corrie
7. If We Must Die – Claude Mckay
8. Your Pain – Armando Guebuza
9. Ballad of The Landlord – Langston Hughes
10. Frontline – George Shea

SUMMONS POEMS

1. Development – Kundi Faraja
2. Live and Let Die – Kundi Faraja
3. Hollow Heads – Jwani Mwaikusa
4. You Are Lost – Isaac Mruma
5. The Dying Child – Freeman Peter Lwamba
6. The Awful Dentist – Jwani Mwaikusa
7. Lost Beauty – Jwani Mwaikusa
8. Sunrise – Jwani Mwaikusa

GROWING UP WITH POETRY By DAVID RUBADIRI

1. A Freedom Song – Marjorie Oludhe Macgoye
2. Building the Nation – Henry Barlow
3. Africa – David Diop
4. A Baby is a European – Ewe

SONGS OF LAWINO AND OCOL By Okot P’Bitek – Analysis